JUNIOR LADY BULLPUP 8TH-GRADE SPIKERS GO 2-2 IN SEASON OPENERS

SPLIT PAIR OF MATCHES WITH AUGUSTA & CIRCLE

By Staff

MCPHERSON – On Monday afternoon, the McPherson Middle School 8th-grade volleyball teams kicked off their 2023 season with a home triangular hosting Augusta and Circle.

Between the ‘A’ and ‘B’ teams, the Junior Lady Bullpups finished the day 2-2.

‘A’ TEAM RESULTS = Defeated Augusta 25-8, 25-6; Defeated Circle 25-5, 27-25.

Starting strong, the Junior Lady Bullpups 8th-grade ‘A’ team hammered out two dominating sets in taking down Augusta while they breezed through the first set with Circle before the Junior Lady Thunderbirds took them to extra points to get the second set win.

“Our ‘A’ team started out season with a strong couple of matches,” pointed out Junior Lady Bullpup head coach Christine Pianalto in her post match reflections. “The girls served very well as everyone recorded at least one ‘service ace’! The Junior Lady Bullpups passed with accuracy, leading to many great sets and kills. We are looking forward to a competitive season in the Patriot League.”

‘B’ TEAM RESULTS = Lost to Augusta 24-26, 25-19, 6-15; Lost to Circle 25-17, 22-25, 6-15.

The 8th-grade ‘B’ team fought two battles into an extra set before losing out on both by the same third set score of 6-15. Against Augusta, the girls lost a heartbreaker in the first set before bouncing back to take the second set by six points and then eventually falling in set three. The match with Circle started out strong with a 25-17, eight-point win before Circle nipped McPherson by three in set two and by nine in the final set to drop the ‘B’ team to 0-2.

“Out 8th-grade ‘B’ team had some great volleys along with some strong serving at times,” noted 8th-grade Lady Bullpup assistant coach Tami Malm. “These girls have much potential, and we are excited to watch that all unfold as the season progresses.”

Up next for the Junior Lady Bullpup 8th-graders will be on the road at Hays on Thursday, August 31 where they will tangle with Hays and Great Bend.

(The Staff covering McPherson County Activities can be reached by email at macks.people.places@gmail.com)